Download Lesson 4 The Legacy of Ancient China

Lesson 4
The Legacy of Ancient
China
MAIN IDEAS
Geography The Silk Roads brought cultural and economic changes to
China.
Belief Systems Chinese philosophies such as Confucianism and Daoism had
a lasting influence on East Asia.
Science and Technology During Han times, China made many advances in
technology, agriculture, and trade.
The Silk Roads
ESSENTIAL QUESTION What kinds of goods moved along the Silk Roads?
A Trans-Eurasian Link
• During Han Dynasty, only Chinese knew how to make silk
- silk opened trade, increased contact with the West
• Silk Roads—trade routes carried silk, other goods to and from China
- trans-Eurasian trails crossed central Asia to Mesopotamia, Europe
- caravan trails were well established by 100 B.C.
• Silk, paper, pottery went west; metals, gems, horses came east
Cultural Diffusion
• Cultural diffusion—the spread of ideas, customs
- Silk Roads helped spread military methods, Buddhism, styles to China
- Chinese art, silks, pottery influenced western cultures
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The Spread of Buddhism
• During Han Dynasty, Buddhist missionaries took Silk Roads to China
- Buddhism spread to Japan and Korea from China
• Chinese Buddhists modified the religion to fit their own traditions
REVIEW QUESTION
Why were the Silk Roads important to Chinese civilization?
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Influential Ideas and Beliefs
ESSENTIAL QUESTION How important were Confucianism and Daoism?
Confucianism
• Confuciusʼ ideas of social duty still important in Chinese villages
• Confucianism became influential philosophy in Japan, Korea, Vietnam
Daoism
• Daoism philosophy had lasting influence in China
- by sixth century it was a religion; had priests, rituals, writings
• Unlike Confucianism, Daoism remained primarily a Chinese belief
REVIEW QUESTION
Where is Confucianism practiced today?
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Chinese Inventions and Discoveries
ESSENTIAL QUESTION In which aspects of Chinese life did the Han make
great advances?
Agricultural Improvements
• Chinese inventions made more grain available, farmersʼ lives easier
• Inventions included:
- better plows
- collar harness
- wheelbarrow
- watermill
Paper
• Chinese first made paper in A.D. 105 from rags, tree bark, hemp fibers
- before paper, books were made of expensive silk
• Inexpensive paper made books more available
- Chinese valued learning; government kept many records
Silk
• Silk is beautiful, long lasting, and can be dyed bright colors
• Silkʼs rarity made it an excellent trade product for Chinese
• Silk was traded for silver, gold from the west
- at one point, a pound of silk was worth a pound of gold
- China sought gold, silver because it lacked rich deposits of both
REVIEW QUESTION
Why was it necessary to make improvements in farming methods in ancient China?
Lesson Summary
• Trading routes called the Silk Roads brought goods and ideas to and from
China.
• Confucianism and Daoism had a lasting influence in China.
• Chinese inventions in agriculture, paper making, and other discoveries improved daily life.
Why It Matters Now . . .
Ancient cultural patterns continue to influence life in China and elsewhere.
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